Toothbrush



A. MEN-DOZA 'I'OOTHBRUSH July 17, 1928. 1 1,677,194

Filed July 2, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED. STATES ARNULI'O MENDOZA, OF NORTH BERGEN, NEW JERSEY.

TOOTHBRUSH.

Appllcationnlcd my 2, 1926. Serial No. menu.

This invention relates to improvements in fountain toothbrushes.

The primary object of this invention is the provision of an improved fountain 5 tooth brush, of arelatively simple and compact nature, embodying an economical anddurable construction which is best adapted to enable an operator to feed a tooth cleansing medium into the bristles of a brush head from a suitable container disposed in the handle of the tooth brush; the improved fountain tooth brush embodying features which renders the same sanitary and prophylactic in character.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel brush head construction for fountain tooth brushes.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel valve mechanism for 20 regulating the feed of dentifrice into a fountain tooth brush. Y

A further object of this invention is the provision of a novel handle and frame construction for fountain tooth brushes.

A further object of this invention is the provision of improvements in fountain tooth brushes such as set forth in my Patents Nos. 1,432,715; 1,521,783; 1,518,341; and 1,518,342, respectively granted on Oc- I 'tober 17, 1922; January 6, 1925; December 9,1924; and December 9, 1924, and embodying improvement thereover in the nature of improved brushhead supporting and valve details.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description. 7 In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and wherein similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved fountain toothbrush, showing the same open to expose the dentifrice container in the handle portion thereof.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through the casing and main construction of the improved fountain toothbrush, showing details thereof.

Figure 3 is a plan view of the improved toothbrush showing a lid portion thereof 11.

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing improved details of the fountain toothbrush,

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figures 6 .and 7 aretransverse sectional views taken substantially on their respective lines in Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a' novel type of valve used in connection with the fountain toothbrush.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional view take? substantially on the line 9-9 ofsFigure Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a brush head cap embodied as a part of the fountain toothbrush.

Figure 11 is an end view of the improved cap'illustrated in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is an inside sectional view looking towards the front ofthe cap illustrated in Figure 10, this view being taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Figure 2, without showing the brush head.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary top plan view of the brush head seat of the frame of the improved toothbrush.

Figure 14 is a bottom plan View of the brush head seat and brush head assembled therein, showing the manner in which the brush head cap is slipped into position for retention.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown only a preferred embodiment of this invention, the letter A may generally designate the improved fountain toothbrush, which may comprise a frame B; brush head C; and means D to operatively connect a conventional dentifrice container E to the brush. A novel valve construction F is provided for regulating the feed of dentifrice thru the means D into the bristles of the brush head C. The frame B is preferably of metal constrllction and comprises the handle portion 15; brush head seat 16; and neck portion 17. The handle portion 15 and the neck portion 17 are formed in halfsections, the same including the lower portions 22 and 23 respectively which are integral with each other and with the seat 16 and wherein a pocket 24" is provided to receive the dentifrice container E and other details. To the handle section 15 the complemental handle section 2a is hingedly connected at 25 along one longitudinal edge of the portion 22of the handle section 15 and extending forwardly at 26 to provide the complementary top half for the neck portion 23. 130th the closure 2';

' tion tapered from its enlarged rear end towards the neck portion 17; and both the upper and lower half sections of the neck portion 17 tapering from its juncture with the handle portion 15 to intermediate it's endsand then tapering at an increasing width to the end thereof adjacent the brush head and brush head seat 16. At its forward end the portion 26 of the neck 17, the same being part of the closure 24:, is provided with a retaining flange 31 extending inwardly to provide an end wall for the pocket of the portion 26, rearwardly of which a shoulder of the brush head C is received to retain the brush head in position when the toothbrush is closed, as is illustrated in the drawings, and will be subsequently described.

The brush head seat 16 as is illustrated in 7 Figures 9, 13 and 14 of the drawings, in-

tegral eludes the side walls 35 and36 which are inwith the side walls 37 and 38 of the neck portion 23; the brush head seat walls 35 an 36 converging from adjacent the neck of the frame 13 forwardly, and at their forward ends the same being connected by an arcuate front wall 39. At the lower edges of the walls 35, 36, and 39, are provided inwardly extending retaining flanges 40, 41, and 42 respectively, defining an elongated tapered opening 45 thru which the back of the brush head C rojects and is visible exteriorly of the tootlibrush when the parts are assembled. A retaining lip 47 is formed on the upper edge of the front wall 39 of the brush head C in projecting relation inwardly over the lower seat flange 42. Thus the brush head seat construction'16 is of open work formation, providing a pocket within which the brush head may be received as will be subsequently described.

The brush head G includes the body portion 50 of any approved material, such as celluloid, bone, hard rubber, ivory, or any other. approved material, and the same is preferably colored in a contrasting relation with the metal or material of the seat 16. This brush head body 50 is provided with tufts of bristles 51 embedded inwardly of the top surface thereofand arrangedin any approved formation. The body 50 is fiat an at a point 52 intermediate the end thereof the same is widened and therefrom tapers forwardly at a uniforml decreasing width to the front ends thereof where the same is convexly arcuated. Rearwardly of the widened portion 52 the body 50' of the brush head C has a reduced tapered portion 55 which merges into a substantially annular cross section and is adapted to seat in the neck 17 of the frame B while the ortion forwardly of the widened part 52 is disposed within the seat 16 of the frame B.

The body 50 at the under surface thereof is provided with a projecting back 52 formed by annularly recessing the under surface at the peripheral margins of the body 50, in such a manner that the projection will fit snugly into the openin 45 of the seat 16 when the brush head ody is within the seat 16, so that the bottom surface of the body will be exposed from the bottom of the seat 16 in a contrasting and ornamental relation which admits also of utility in that incident to this opening 45 a person may insert a finger to force the brush V head from its seat, as is quite obvious.

The brush head body is assembled in the seat 16 by slipping the tapered end thereof into the pocket formed by the seat 16, until the same rests on the retaining"fianges 40, 41 and 42 and until the front end thereof is disposed beneath the retaining lip 47; the front end of the body being'recesscd at 57 permit such assemblage and to prevent the front end of the body 50 from being a'ccidentally elevated from the seat. The rear portion 55 of the brush head 50 as above mentioned is preferably annular in cross section, as is illustrated in Figure 7, and the same in external diameter is slightly greater than the position to which the walls 37 and 38 of the neck portions 23 will flex, so that said walls 37 and 38 clamp 'about the portion 55 of the brush head to act as retaining flanges to hold the brush head in its seat, as will be apparent.

As is illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings, the portion 55 of the body 50 rearwardly of the widest part 52 of the brush head body is thicker than the part of the body forwardly thereof, that is the same is of higher elevation, and this provides 0. transverse straight shoulder 60 forwardly of which the retaining flange 31 of the closure'24 engages, when the closure is shut, as is illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.

A cylindrical shaped duct 63 extends longitudinall thru the rear end of the body 50 of the rushhead C, and axially thru the brush head, having an outlet at the extreme rear edge 64 of the portion 55 of the body 50. and extending inwardly along the axis of the body 50 to a location 65 which is disposed forwardly of the shoulder 60. and at this location the duct .63 has an outlet port 66 on the top surface of the body 50, and within the confines of the tufts of the bristles 51; it being a purpose of the invention to vent dentifrice through this port 66, as will be subsequently described.

As a protection for the rear receivin end of the portion 55 of the brush head b0 y 50 llll connecte it is preferred to provide a metal ferrule 68, wine is provided with an opening 69 thereinaligning with the duct 63. The duct '63 at the rear end thereof is larger than along the forward end thereof adjacent the port 66, as is illustrated in Figure 4 of the draw- The valve construction'F is preferably of metal formation, comprising a tubular main body 70, having a rear enlarged tubular port-ion 71 and also. a forward longer tubular portion 72 of less diameter. The tubular- 'body 70 is adapted to fit forwardly in the duct 63- until the shoulder 74 thereof at the juncture of the enlarged and reduced portions 71' and 72abuts against the shoulder at the juncture of the different diametered ortion of the duct 63 as above described.

he tube 7 0' at the front end thereof is provided with a wall 77 and adjacent said wall is provided with a radially opening port 78 which is adapted to align with the port 66,

but whichmay be placed out of alignment therewith merely by rotation of thetube 70. Means is provided as a part of the valve F to rotate the tube 70 and this means includes atpinlike handle .80 which is radially in detachable screwthreaded manner at 81in the tube body 70. The portion 55 of the brush head. body 50 is transversely slotted inwardly from the top surface there of at 83 to permit a transverse oscillation of the handle 80 in order to selectively align or place out of alignment the .ports 66 and 78.

-- The 'rear edge 80 ofthe tubular body 70 I terminates within the duct 63- for a considerable distance inwardly from the rear edge 64 of the body of the brush head, to permit the insertion of the forward end of the nozzle D to align the passageway 83 thereof with the passageway 84 provided thru the tubular valve b0dy70. The special nozzle D is of the type set forth in my patents above referred to, and the same at the rear end is provided with an enlarged connecting portion 85 internally screw threaded at 86 to permit the detachable connection of the screw threaded neck 87 of a conventional dentifrice container E of any approved size.

In view of the fact that the port 66 will have to outlet between the various bristles of the brush head and due to the shallow top wall of the body of the brush head, and topreventthe weakening "of the same incident to the provisionof-the duct 63, it is preferred to provide a tubular bristle receiving projection 01 sleeve 90 upwardly extending integral with-the body 50 of the brush head, above the duct 63, wherein a special tuft of bristles 91 may be received in a ,z'einforced and properly secured relation. I l v Aspecial detachable cap 95 for the brush head 0 is provided, which includes the side walls 96 and'97 having aconnecting top wall 9 98 and a forwarden'd wall 99. The cap 95 is substantially rectangular in side elevation and is entirely open. at the rear end thereof to permit its assemblage on the seat 16 of the brush head. and is open at the bottom thereof to permit the reception of the seat 16 and the brush head C therein. In the forward top corner the cap 95 is cut away to provide a ventilating opening 100 which will increase the sanitary value of the toothbrush and permit a circulation of air thru the cap, while protecting the bristles of the brush=from dust? and contact with foreign elements.

The cap 95 isformed of stamped metal and the lower margins of the side walls 96' and 97 are stamped to provide internal recesses or grooves 102, and at the lower edges having retaining flanges 103 for receiving therein the seat 16 and the body 50 of the 9 brush head in such ismanner that the bristles will be protected in a non-cramped position. The front wall 99 may be formed by bending the forward portions of the metal of the side walls 96 and 97 about the front of the cap and securing them in place by means of a special metal clamp 105 whichhas prongs 106 insertable through slits which may be provided in the material-of the saidforwardly bent portions of the walls. As to the assemblage of the cap, the same is merely slipped over the front end of the seat 16 and the brush head C; the walls 96and 97 being slightly flexible to clamp against the sides of the seat 16 and brush head C as is illustrated in the drawings, to prevent its accidental detachment. As is illustrated in Figure 14 of the drawings the rearmos't.

the body 50'0f the brush head. When the brush head C is in place with the valve F assembled therein the special nozzle D may [be readily inserted into the rear end of the duct 63 after application of the tube E to the nozzle D has been effected, and then the closure 24 of the frame B may be shut to clamp the various parts of the fountain toothbrush in position for use.

It is notable that the parts of the toothbrush may be disassembled for cleaning, and to this end o disassemble the valve F, the

pin lever 80 is disconnected and this permits the rearward slipping of the tube 70 to displace the same from the duct 63 for cleansing. The ferrule68 is also detachable.

Various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be made to the form of invention herein shown and described, without departing from the spirit of the invention' or'the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In a fountain toothbrush the combination of a brush head including a body portion having upstanding bristles thereon, said body portion having an elongated duct therethrough discharging onto said bristles, a rotatable ing a port ada ted to be rotated into registrat'ion with t e port of the body of the brush head, said body of the brush ,head having a transverse slot thereacross communicating with the tube, and a radially extending pm handle jdetachably connected with the tube and movable in the slot to permit the'rotation of the tube.

2. In a fountain toothbrush the combination of a' hollow handle having 'aneck with a passage opening intothe handle, a seat having an open pocket therein carried by the neck and opening-into the passage of said neck, a brush .head detachably seated in said seat and having a; duct opening in the passage of the neck, a rotatable tube in said duct, said tube having a side port therein rcgistrable witha portin the brush head, means for rotating said tube to open or close saidport with respect to the brush head, a detachable coupling communicating with the tube inthe brush head, and a dentifrice container detachably connected with the nozzle and disposed within'the handle.

3. As an article of manufacture a brush headcomprising amain body portion having upstanding-- bristles thereon, said body portion having a duct formed longitudinally therethrough and having a port extending transversely therethrough from the duct into a space between said bristles, a subdetachable tube in said duct havstantially tubular projection formed rigid on the body of the brush head directly above said duct, and a tuft of bristles anchored in said tubular projection.

4. As an article of manufacture a brush head comprising a main body portion having upstanding bristles thereon, portion having a duct formed lon 'tudinally therein and havin a port exten i versely from the net into a s ace between said bristles, a substantially tu ular projection formed rigid on the body of the brush head directly above said duct, a tuft oi bristles anchored in said tubular projections, a valve tube rotatable in said duct having a port transversely therein, and means for rotating said tube to place the port thereof into or out of alignment with the port of the body of the brushhead. a 5. In a toothbrush the combination of a brush comprising'a rigid body having tufts of bristles extending from the top t ereof, said body having an elongated ductextending therein from'the rear end thereof to a point intermediate the ends thereof, said body at the front end of said duct having a transverse port opening onto the bristles, a hollow metal tube shorter in length than the length of said duct rotatably disposed entirely within the duct and at the forward end thereof having a transverse port, the rear of said tube. terminating within the duct inwardly of the rear edge of the body of the brush head, said body transversely therethrough having a slot intersecting the duct, a detachable handle pin connected with the tube movable in said slot, a ferrule over the rear end of the body of the brush head having an opening therethrough aligning with the duct in the body of the brush head, and a hollow dentifrice tube coupling having a tubular portion adapted to be inserted in the rear end ,of the duct of the body portion of the brush head into abutting engagement agaiiist the rfiarhend g: the tube to align the cou in wit t e tu assageway.

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